What is Poison Croquet?Written by Peter Jay
In some areas of Western United States a simple form of croquet is being played, one different than traditional competitive forms of croquet. This type of croquet is often called Poison, and is a favorite of amateur or casual croquet players. Poison croquet is played with standard nine wicket croquet set. It can be played by 2,3,4,5, or 6 players. It has similar rules to American backyard croquet; however, it differs from other styles of croquet, in that no points are scored. The players all start at same end of nine-wicket croquet playing field, instead of having an equal number of players beginning at opposing sides. The order of game follows order of colors on croquet mallet with corresponding ball color of each player. Rather than competing for points, or which “team” can complete course first, with all of their croquet balls, players compete to see who can become poison first, and eliminate all of other players. A player becomes poison by hitting his or her ball through all nine wickets and striking stick at end. Once a player’s ball becomes poison, any ball that they hit with their “poison” ball, is eliminated from game. The goal is to eliminate all of other players from game by hitting them with poison ball. The last player left in game wins. Other traditional rules of backyard or American croquet still apply. The ball must be hit forward through each wicket, rather than going through from back end or from opposing direction. An extra hit is gained for each wicket, through which a ball is hit; only one extra hit can be gained from each wicket. An extra hit is also gained by hitting ball of another player. After other player’s ball is hit, player who hit other player’s ball has two options: he may place his ball next to other player’s ball, put his foot on his own ball, and knock other player’s ball out of play by striking his own ball; or he may simply take another hit towards next wicket.
| | So you have bought your first DSLR?Written by Nick Stubbs
Ok! So you have bought a DSLR (Digital SLR)…now what?You have joined ranks of "keen amateur photographer" by buying a new digital SLR, but what do all those buttons and bits actually do? The way things are going what with pricing and technology, I can see a boom about to happen with regard to Digital SLR sales. People who have previously just owned film or point and shoot digital cameras, will now as prices fall, have opportunity to join rest of us in exciting world of Digital SLR. I can imagine that for a lot of people transition will be exciting but also a tad confusing. Even if you have owned a film SLR in past, I can guarantee that it didn't have this many buttons all over it with "custom functions" and like! These new breed of cameras are quite simply amazing and I despair when I see reviews and forums airing their disappointment that a new camera just released hasn't addressed issue of "having to go to menu" to make an alteration. When reading reviews about a particular digital SLR camera that you wish to purchase, please take it with a pinch of salt. The reviewers are there to delve into every possible avenue open to discussion and any personal gripes should not put you off. If cameras were released with everyone's whims catered for, camera would have no room for a viewfinder or lens because of hundreds of buttons everywhere. What you need to do, even if you never use them, is to learn what each button, gadget and gizmo actually does just in case you need it one day.
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